All these communities were in the coastal region. Around the third century St. Thomas Christians began to move east as part of their agrarian activities to bring more forest under cultivation. This resulted in erection of several churches at inland parts. In the succeeding centuries migrating Persian Christians and some local Christians concentrated more of their activities on the coast, while native St. Thomas Christians penetrated more and more to the inland parts. Until the last century, vast majority of Syro-Malabar Catholics lived in erstwhile Cochin and Travancore states, with Meenachil Taluk having the largest proportion.

ANCIENT CHURCHES/PARISHES OF THE THOMAS CHRISTIANS

Church

Year of foundation

Kuravilangadu Church

c. 105 AD

Pallipuram Church

c. 290 AD

Ambazhakad Church

c. 300 AD

Aruvithara Church

c. 301 AD

North Pudukad Church

c. 400 AD

Puthenchira Church

c. 400 AD

Chambakulam Church

c. 427 AD

Akaparambu Church

450 AD

Angamali Church

450 AD

Mattam Church

c. 480 AD

Muttuchira Church

c. 510 AD

Kaduthuruthy Church

c. 510 AD

Enammavu Church

c. 510 AD

Udayamperoor Church

c. 510 AD

Edapally Church

c. 593 AD

Chalakudy Church

c. 600 AD

Mylakombu Church

c. 600 AD

Kolenchery Church

c. 650 AD

Moozhikulam Church

c. 650 AD

Kayamkulam Church

c. 824 AD

Kothanalloor Church

c.826 AD

Athirampuzha Church

c.835 AD

Kottayam Church

890 AD

Nagapuzha Church

900 AD

Mapranam Church

928 AD

Manjapra Church

943 AD

Mavelikara Church

943 AD

Kadamattom Church

950 AD

Pazhuvil Church

960 AD

Arakuzha Church

999 AD

Nediasala Church

999 AD

Kottekad Church

999 AD

Kunnamkulam Church

999 AD

Kadaplamattom Church

10th century

Kanjur Church

1001 AD

Kaduthuruthy Cheriapally

c. 1001 AD

Pala Church

1002 AD

Muttam Church

1023 AD

Cherpunkal Church

1111 AD

Vadakara Church

1096 AD

Bharananganam Church

1100 AD

Changanacherry Church

1117 AD

Thripunithara Church

1175 AD

Cheppadu Church

c. 1175 AD

Chengannoor Church

c. 1175 AD

Kudamaloor Church

c. 1175 AD

Ernakulam Church

c. 1175 AD

Mulanthuruthy Church

1225 AD

Kothamangalam Valiapally

1240 AD

Karthikapally Church

c. 1240 AD

Kuruppumpady Church

c. 1240 AD

Alengad Church

1300 AD

Muthalakodam Church

1312 AD

Njarackal Church

1341 AD

Koratty Church

1381 AD

Poonjar Church

c. 1381 AD

Alleppey Church

1400 AD

Kanjirappilly Church

1450 AD

Ramapuram Church

1450 AD

Kothamangalam Cheriapally

1455 AD

Kudavechur Church

1463 AD

Elanji Church

1522 AD

MAP OF CHRISTIAN PRESENCE IN 1600

CHURCH ARCHITECTURE OF THE ST. THOMAS CHRISTIANS

In 1578, there were about Sixty Churches for Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala. The number of Churches increased during the course of time, and by the year 1644 there were about 94 of them. The Church buildings conformed to the Malabar style of architecture. The ancient Churches externally looked like non- Christian pagodas, the only distinction being the crosses that were put on the roofs and in front in the open air. The Churches also had flag staff. A flag hoisted on such a staff indicates that a feast is being celebrated in the church. The early buildings were built entirely of wood. (They would last 400 years!). Most of the old churches are beautifully decorated with the Virgin and Child, crosses on various floriated designs and angles, images of male and female beings, half man, half fish, holding a ship above their heads. There are also images which has no religious significance such as man shooting a tiger etc.